Carlson, 29, was released by the Vikings last week following two meek seasons in Minnesota. The former second-round draft pick was a disappointment in the Twin Cities after coming over from the Seattle Seahawks where he had boasted three 300-plus-yard seasons, including two 50-plus-catch seasons.

On paper, a pass-catching tight end doesn't appear to mesh well with Bruce Arians' theory that, "Tight ends for me block first, catch second." (Unless for some reason Arians plans to learn some new tricks.) Carlson is average-to-below-average in both pass and run blocking.

Carlson also brings injury risks to the desert. He has suffered multiple concussions, including one that ended his 2013 season prematurely.